10 Signs That You're Full-blooded ILOCANO

ILOCANO all the way!

1. You call your mother/grandmother "INANG" and your father/grandfather "TATANG"

2. "ANYA METTEN" is your line when you're upset.

3. You know AMA MI (Ilocano version of THE LORD"S PRAYER)

4. You have pinakbet dish for at least once a week.

http://stepbysteprecipe.com/foodhome/pinakbet/

5. When you say "UTONG", you mean

 

6. Any fish can be turned into DAING!

http://www.marketmanila.com/archives/how-to-make-boneless-dried-rabbitfish-daing-na-danggit

7. Your nursery rhyme was "MANANG BIDAY"

8. Your parents say 'COMBO' instead of band.

9. When you're non-ilocano friend ask you to teach him/her ilocano curse word. 

10. You see TUPIG in every part of ILOCANO land. 

Pain Free Life

Fortune Island, Philippines

Some of us complain every bit of our misfortunes not knowing that they are simple life lessons. 

Here I am infront of my computer trying to reflect on the life I have this past year. It was a tough ride. My dad diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer though he doesn't have any vice. He got the irony of life. Every pain he has gone through made me cringe wishing I can have a fair share of it. I guess one of his victorious days of his life is when he had his last radiation therapy session and knowing he can go back to work so he can provide for us. He is the best father ever! So from then on, I always pray for a pain-free life of the sick people. That God's love will act like a morphine on them.

Pain is inevitable unless you refuse to love. Once you love, be ready to get hurt. It's a part of the roller-coaster ride of our sweet lives. Living is beautiful. There may be times you feel like problems are mountain high but believe me in every mountain there is a fearless hiker who would climb it up just to see the vast beauty on top. Hikers get hurt along their trail to the peak. There will be thorns, muds and big rocks bit those are nothing as long as you enjoy the ride.


So my dear friend, just calm down, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Imagine you're on a boat ride to a very beautiful island. Going there wouldn't be easy. Waves will be big.  But you wouldn't know how fascinating that island is when you get off that boat. face your fears and continue sailing.

XOXO,


mu